Background

UNDP Somalia comprises two main clusters: (a) Governance and Rule of Law Programme; and (b) Poverty Reduction and Environment Protection Programme. The Governance and Rule of Law Programme of UNDP Somalia responds to all four outcome areas outlined in the country programme: capacity-building for peace and human security, strengthened governance and rule of law institutions, systems, practices and services, increased livelihood opportunities and improved natural resources management, and gender equality. Project areas currently include local governance, institution building, and access to justice, police and community safety. The Governance and RoL programme has a thematic area that focuses on implementing the capacity building and institutional development as part of the overall UNDP Somalia country Programme.

This thematic area of institutional building was set up in 2008 and works with governance institutions in Somalia, i.e. in Mogadishu, in Puntland and in Somaliland to build their capacity so that they can perform their functions more effectively. The work on this thematic area will be through staff based in Nairobi, Hargeisa (Somaliland) and Garowe (Puntland) and possibly a team in Mogadishu in the near future. In 2011, a redesign process of the institutional building thematic area resulted in thematic support of four key pillars working across a variety of institutions. These pillars are:

  • Public Financial Management, Transparency and Accountability
  • Planning and Aid Coordination
  • Public Sector and Parliamentary Reform and
  • Implementing the good governance tasks which assist a political transition in South-Central Somalia

The Project Manager of the Somalia Institutional Development Project will work under the overall supervision of the Programme Manager of the UNDP Governance and Rule of Law Programme.

The Project Manager is responsible for UNDP Somalia’s work in the area of institutional building and in particular the management of the current SIDP project, including the design and implementation of the SIDP’s Annual work plan and budget, and will supervise national staff in Somaliland, Puntland and Mogadishu, and the team in Nairobi. The Project Manager will be located in Mogadishu but with frequent travels into other areas of Somalia (minimum 25% of the time). The Project Manager will coordinate closely with all government partners and with the Sub Offices in Somaliland and Puntland.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:
  • Provide leadership for UNDP’s work in institutional development.
  • Be responsible for the implementation of project activities and financial management of institutional development thematic area
  • Provide policy advice on governance and institutional development
  • Strengthen the relationship/coordination with the donors to minimize overlapping, reduce transaction costs and maximize impact and efficiency and promote networking and knowledge sharing within UNDP and the UN system

Provide leadership for UNDPs work in institutional development area:

  • Advise UNDP and partners on policy issues around governance and institutional development
  • Advise UNDP on national developments relevant to UNDP programmatic objectives in institution building
  • Develop strategy and coordinate overall UNDP support to institution building and vis-à-vis related reforms in public administration and fiscal decentralization
  • Identify and promote coordinated approaches on institution building among international partners, participating in various policy or partnership forum(s)
  • Ensure and that UNDPs engagement is in line with UNDP rules and regulations and responding to relevant UNDP strategies

Be responsible for project implementation and financial management of UNDP’s portfolio of activities within institutional development thematic area:

  • Lead project implementation and planning for implementation of institutional development thematic area
  • Prepare and manage budget and work plans
  • Ensure effective implementation of all activities across the three zones and quick and efficient response to implementation challenges
  • Monitor and analyse the project environment and progress, using applicable M&E and risk management tools and advise on timely adjustments and corrective measures as necessary
  • Oversee development and implementation of partnership agreements and ensure appropriate technical assistance with a focus on institutional development and results
  • Supervise and manage the institutional development thematic area team in UNDP, in Nairobi and inside Somalia
  • Lead and participate in the recruitment of technical expertise to support project implementation
  • Oversee coordination of project teams and conduct regular staff performance reviews in line with UNDPs rules and regulations
  • Manage financial allocations and approve expenditures according to authority delegated, and ensure timely payments according to UNDP rules, regulations and procedures
  • Oversee production of narrative and financial reports as required
  • Comply with security and safety requirements and regulations and ensure the same are respected by all project personnel
  • Manage all contracts and agreements with non-government and private partners

Provide policy and advisory services on institutional development:

  • Provide vision and policy direction UNDP on governance and institutional development programming, and plays an active role in policy advice, strategic thinking, and knowledge sharing
  • Conduct or oversee analytical work including institutional capacity assessments and policy reviews related to UNDP’s portfolio of activities

Work to strategically position UNDP as a lead player and donor/resource focal point in institution building, and promote networking and knowledge sharing within UNDP and the UN system:

  • Coordinate with the World Bank all activities related to development and establishment of Public Finance Management systems, strategies, and plans in different regions and parts of Somalia
  • Liaise with donors, international partners, on delivery of technical assistance to governments, developing strong networks, and drafting TORs and budgets as appropriate
  • Strengthen UNDP’s relationship and reputation with government partners through effective and timely engagement, improved communication, and identification of issues
  • Promote information sharing with the relevant donors’ community by initiating and/or participating in consultative meetings with the donors and preparing briefs on institution building and overall Ggovernance and RoL programme progress and activities
  • Advise and assist UNDP in preparing for high-level consultation meetings with donors and the Federal and State authorities on its country institution building assistance strategies
  • Prepare UNDP position papers and UNDP resource mobilization strategy for discussion/presentation with relevant stakeholders
  • Prepare regular progress reports (quarterly, mid and annual) for UNDP, donors and Government
  • Facilitates networking and knowledge sharing within UNDP and the UN System, focusing on the achievement of the following results:
    • Acts as the focal point on institution building for the UNDP Country Office and UN Country Team
    • In close collaboration with all UNDP programme and project managers, develops strategic entry points to enhance interface and linkages among UNDP supported initiatives for maximum results in the field of institution building
Impact of Results:

The key results have an impact on the overall efficiency, and effectiveness of the institution building thematic area as it relates to the use of corporate resources in the following areas:

  • Analytical and strategic support
  • Liaison and coordination with partners
  • Operational support including, financial services, Human resources and procurement and logistical services
  • Effective management

Competencies

Functional Competencies:         

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda:

  • Creates effective advocacy strategies
  • Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses

Results-Based Programme Development and Management:

  • Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work
  • Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration
  • Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementation
  • Analyses country situation to identify opportunities for project development
  • Participates in the formulation of project proposals and ensures substantive rigor in the design and application of proven successful approaches and drafts proposals accordingly
Building Strategic Partnerships:
  • Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda
  • Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners
  • Promotes UNDP’s agenda in inter-agency meetings
Innovation and Marketing New Approaches:
  • Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals
  • Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations
  • Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking
  • Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor
Resource Mobilization (Field Duty Stations):
  • Analyses information on potential bilateral donors and national counterparts to recommend a strategic approach
  • Identifies and compiles lessons learned
  • Develops a resource mobilization strategy at the country level
Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing:
  • Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches
  • Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:
  • Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines
  • Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally
  • Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
  • Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments
Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals:
  • Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses
  • Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level 
Client Orientation:
  • Anticipates client needs
  • Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider
  • Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective
  • Solicits feedback on service provision and quality
Core Competencies:
  • Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity 
  • Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
  • Self-development, initiative-taking
  • Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
  • Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
  • Creating synergies through self-control
  • Managing conflict
  • Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others
  • Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member
  • Informed and transparent decision making

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced university degree in public administration, law, economics, political science or other related field

Experience:

  • 7 years of work experience in programme/project formulation, management and policy advice in the areas of governance and decentralization
  • Strong work experience in similar conflict environments is desirable
  • Working experience in Somalia is an asset
  • Previous working experience for UNDP is an asset

Language Requirements:

  • Excellent command of written and spoken English.